The Islamic Republic of Iran
began to implement the first five year economic plan aimed at the
reconstruction and economic recovery in 1989, after the end of the eight
year Iraqi imposed war. The main objective of this plan was to transform
the managed economy of the war to an open economy based on market forces
and establish and maintain relations with the world economy.

Due to the existing
limitation for the application of the market economy, concern for the side
effects of such a sharp transformation on the social wellbeing of the
society it was decided to assign some locations and establish free or
special economic zones in order to completely apply the principle of a
free market economy. This way, enough attraction incentives could be
introduced for absorbing foreign investment.

According to the legally
accepted definition, the free trade zones and special economic zones are
those parts of the Iranian territory that are managed according to the
special laws and bylaws and are excluded from the laws of the governing
motherland. These zones are excluded from the domain of the custom
authorities and enjoy the full freedom for the in and out flow of goods
and commodities. Unique geographical locations, sufficiently developed
infrastructure and the foreign investment incentives have provided ample
opportunity for internal as well as foreign investment in the zones.

The Iranian Parliament
approved the Free Zones Act in September of 1993. According to this act,
Kish Island, Qeshm Island and the Port of Chabahar were declared as the
Free Zones of Iran. The council of ministers later adapted the bylaws of
the free zones. These bylaws have defined and set out all regulations
pertaining to import, export, investment, insurance, banking, labor and
employment of these zones.

Kish Island Measuring about 90 Kilometers
in area , is situated 18 kilometerss south ofIran's southern coast and
about 300 kilometers away from the Port City of Bandar Abbas . kish is
almost elliptical with an east-west length of 13 kilometers , and a 7
kilometers width running north-south . The Island's highest point is
its eastern part which rises about 45 meters above the sea level . And ,
its relative height is 32 meters which means only 13 meters difference
from its highest point....more

Qeshm Island is one of the largest islands
of the Straight of Hormoz, in the Persian Gulf, with a unique geological
and natural Status. With an area of 1445 KM2, circumference of
approximately 362 km, and a length of 122, Qeshm island is located along
Iranian main land. From geobotanical point of view it is based along the
stripe of northern hemisphere tropical plantation. This strip in Iran
begins from Hormozgan to Sea of Oman and from Ghasre-Shirin to Qatar
harbor...more

The beautiful province of
Chabahar, originally called
"Char-bahar", meaning four springs, is part of the Sistan & Balouchestan
province in the south east of the Islamic Republic of Iran, by the azure
waters of the Oman sea. Chabahar stretches from the north to the
Nikshahr province, from the west to Kerman and Hormozgan, from the south
to the Sea of Oman, and from the east to Pakistan. The port of
Chabahar is the largest oceanic port of Iran which leads out to the
Persian Gulf...more

Shiraz Special Economic Electronic Zone (SEEZ)
was established in early 2000 at a time when the need for providing
the country with much-needed material goods particularly in the areas of
electronics and communications was sought. Establishing a firm
foundation for the initial take-off towards the above-mentioned goal,
SEEZ came into existence in Shiraz, a city strategically located in
southern part of Iran, in an area about 2500 acres. Shiraz enjoys an
exceptional location, and is destined to play a decisive role not only
in the region but also in Iran overwhelming and promising economical
future...more

The MMSEZ is situated on the northern side of the Straits
of Hormoz, at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. An area of 1,200
Hectares of suitable land defines this customs-protectedzone designated for industrial activity.
Having a 1,200 MW power plant connected to the National PowerGrid and a major refinery as next door
neighbors, as well as proximity to abundant oil, gas, and ore reserves
are the major strategic features of MMSEZ.Exclusive seaport and direct rail and road
links are the other significant features that define the MMSEZ. The zone
is only 20 Km away from the province capital, Bandar Abbas, where a
major airport serves the needs of the community and industry...more

Sirjan Special Economic Zone is owned and
governed by Kerman Development Organization. The zone is planned to
become a " City of the Future" with ultra- modern facilities, fully
automated freight handling services, and a management sensitive to the
needs of the investors. The city itself will offer a completely
cosmopolitan atmosphere with the most modern accommodations and
amenities for the visiting businessmen or for family living. The
residents will enjoy all the facilities only the big metropolitan cities
can afford, including modern hospital, schools, cultural events, vast
parks and green areas, man-made lake and even a mini Disneyland, etc...more

Development of world population, world trade structure, future
development, and increasing demand for transportation, in Persian Gulf
countries and domestic requirement caused an ever increasing growth of
shiprepair, shipbuilding and offshore industries resulting to build a
modern shipyard complex in Bandar Abbas region..more

Land
preparation and ceding (sale, rent for long period) parcels of land
for industrial, trade and warehouse purposes according to the
investors' requirements and orders.
Providing infrastructures for the investors based on the officials
tariffs of the related organizations.
Issuance of official certificates and offering all administrative
services as requested by investors.
Domestic transport and warehouse services offered to the investors
including keeping cargoes on trust basis.
Cooperation in preparing investment plans, selecting foreign partner and
financial supports out of banking system (according to Note 3)...more

The petrochemical Special Economic Zone (Petzone)is
located on the south-western of Iran at Persian Gulf shore, within the
boundaries of Mahshahr, a district of Bandar Imam Khomeini (BIK). It
covers an area of 2000 hectares (4940 acres).The Zone was established in
this region because of the many natural and geographical advantages. The
aim was to make use of these advantages, with the incentives and
opportunities created by Special Economic Zones regulations in order to
develop industries and trades both at the regional and national
levels,specially the petrochemical and its downstream industries, absorb
modern technology, creat jobs and boost employment. The Organization
of Petrochemical Special Economic Zone is responsible for the management
and materialization of the objectives of economic development
activities, specially the petrochemical development projects of National
Petrochemical Company (NPC)....more